Wagner began her political career as a local committeewoman in Lafayette Township before becoming the first woman hold the chair of the Missouri Republican Party.[2]

Based on analysis of multiple outside rankings, Wagner is one of the most reliable Republican votes, meaning she can be considered a safe vote for the Republican Party in Congress.

Biography

Wagner was born and raised in St. Louis. She graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia Business School in 1984, focusing on Logistics.[2]

Career

Wagner held management positions at Hallmark Cards and Ralston Purina. She served for 9 years as a local committeewoman in Lafayette Township.[2] She became the first woman to occupy the post of chair of the Missouri Republican Party in 1999.[3] During her tenure as chair, Republicans in the state won historical gains.[2] In 2001, she became co-chair of the Republican National Committee, and between 2005 and 2009, Wagner served as U.S. Ambassador to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.[3]

Issues

Campaign themes

2012

Her campaign website said, "Ann understands that in order for businesses to grow and prosper entrepreneurs need certainty in government policies, most especially in the areas of tax, healthcare and energy. If Ann is elected to Congress, one of her biggest priorities will be to fight for job creators, whether it is a one-man shop or a large corporation. Ann will make decisions that minimize over-regulation and promote certainty so entrepreneurs can spend more time growing their business. Ann does not want businesses to simply survive in the Second District. She wants them to thrive."

Spending & Debt

Her campaign website said, "Ann knows that it is time to rein in spending before we mortgage our children’s future. She firmly believes that we owe future generations the chance to achieve their dream rather than the responsibility of paying off our debt. However, Ann understands that we cannot limit debt without controlling spending. She supports cutting up the government credit card and instituting a Balanced Budget Amendment that prevents government from spending more than it takes in. Ann also supports returning power to individual states. By doing so, costs will be lowered and the redundancy between the state and federal government will be eliminated."

Obamacare

Her campaign website said, "Simply put, Ann believes that we must repeal Obamacare. She sides with the 71% of Missourians who voted in support of Proposition C to exempt Missouri from complying with the unconstitutional mandate. At a time when our country is already going broke, Ann understands that you cannot take an industry like healthcare that makes up one-sixth of the economy and shift the burden to the government. She supports free market principles that encourage individuals to take healthcare into their own hands and to make the decisions most suited to their lifestyle. Forced competition among carriers will not only drive costs down but will also improve the quality of care."

Tax Reform

Her campaign website said, "Ann supports a true overhaul of the current tax code. Seventy thousand-plus pages of tax policy put businesses and individuals at an unfair advantage. Businesses are forced to spend countless time and money focusing on what they must do to comply rather than on bettering their craft. Ann supports simplifying the code to make policies more straightforward and to eliminate tax loopholes. These measures will help provide businesses with real, long-term certainty in the tax structure that will promote innovation and job creation."

National Security

Her campaign website said, "Ann believes it is extremely important to support those who defend our freedom and fight for our country. As the mother of a son who serves in the military, Ann understands the sacrifices that the men and women of the military make for our safety and liberty. She supports giving deference to commanders on the ground to make the necessary assessments of security situations. Ann also believes in maintaining a strong relationship with Israel, an ally in the fight for freedom and peace in the Middle East."

Restore Integrity

Her campaign website said, "Ann believes that we do not need elected officials who are going to recycle the old way of doing things. She believes we need strong, effective, conservative leaders who will stand in the gap between the people and the federal government. Ann also supports a full ban on insider trading and believes we need to prevent the revolving door policy of legislators becoming lobbyists."

Protecting the Unborn

Her campaign website said, "Ann believes that life is truly our greatest gift from conception to natural death. In Congress, she will fight for the day when abortion is not only illegal but unthinkable. She will support the Hyde Amendment to bar federal funds from being used to pay for abortions and will work to defund Planned Parenthood and similar organizations."

The Second Amendment

Her campaign website said, "Ann is honored to be the only Republican candidate in this race to receive the endorsement of the National Rifle Association. Whether it is hunting, sporting and recreation, or for purposes of protection, Ann believes that the founding fathers meant for all law-abiding citizens to have the right to bear and maintain firearms as provided for by the Second Amendment. Ann supports recent decisions by the United State Supreme Court to strike down various gun bans and pledges her support in continuing the fight to protect this fundamental right for all individuals."

Energy

Her campaign website said, "Whether it is clean coal, exploration drilling, solar, wind, natural gas, hydro, or creating a new pipeline like Keystone XL, Ann believes we need to have a true “all-of-the-above” approach to transforming our energy policy. In the 21st century global economy, it is crucial that we become less dependent on foreign energy sources and more reliant on what we already have to offer, which will in turn strengthen our national security and grow our economy. The St. Louis area is fortunate to have many energy interests such as Peabody, Ameren, Arch and Patriot and others, that call the region home. Focusing on a true “all-of-the-above” approach and fighting for energy independence will lead to more job creation and will ultimately be a stimulant for our economy. Ann also supports getting rid of the over-burdensome regulations set forth by agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency that destroy our energy independence, job growth and national security, and force employers to expend resources on unnecessary and extreme regulations."

Legislative actions

113th Congress

The second session of the 113th Congress enacted into law 114 out of the 3,036 introduced bills (3.8 percent). Comparatively, the 112th Congress had 4.2 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the second session.[6] For more information pertaining to Wagner's voting record in the 113th Congress, please see the below sections.[7]

National security

Department of Homeland Security Appropriations

Wagner voted in support of HR 2217 - the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2014. The bill passed the House on June 6, 2013, with a vote of 245 - 182 and was largely along party lines.[8]

Keystone Pipeline Amendment

Wagner voted in opposition of House Amendment 69, which would have amended HR 3 to "require that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, conduct a study of the vulnerabilities of the Keystone XL pipeline to a terrorist attack and certify that necessary protections have been put in place." The amendment failed on May 22, 2013, with a vote of 176 - 239 and was largely along party lines.[8]

Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act

Wagner voted in support of HR 624 - the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act. The bill passed the House on April 18, 2013, with a vote of 288 - 127. The bill would allow federal intelligence agencies to share cybersecurity intelligence and information with private entities and utilities.[9] The bill was largely supported by Republicans but divided the Democratic Party.[8]

National Defense Authorization Act

Wagner voted in support of HR 1960 - the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014. The bill passed the House on June 14, 2013, with a vote of 315 - 108. Both parties were somewhat divided on the vote.[8]

Economy

Federal Statutory Pay Adjustment Elimination

Wagner voted in support of HR 273 - Eliminates the 2013 Statutory Pay Adjustment for Federal Employees. The bill passed the House on February 15, 2013, with a vote of 261 - 154. The bill would prevent a 0.5% pay increase for all federal workers from taking effect, saving the federal government $11 billion over 10 years. Clay was 1 of 144 Democrats who opposed the bill, while 44 voted for it.[10][8]

Immigration

Morton Memos Enforcement Prohibition

Wagner voted in support of House Amendment 136 - Prohibits the Enforcement of the Immigration Executive Order. The amendment was adopted by the House on June 6, 2013, with a vote of 224 - 201. The purpose of the amendment as stated on the official text is to "prohibit the use of funds to finalize, implement, administer, or enforce the Morton Memos." These memos would have granted administrative amnesty to certain illegal aliens residing in the United States. The vote largely followed party lines.[11][8]

Healthcare

Health Care Reform Rules

Wagner voted in support of House Amendment 450 - Requires Congressional Approval for Any Rules Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The amendment was adopted by the House on August 2, 2013, with a vote of 227-185. The amendment requires all changes to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act be approved by Congress before taking effect. The vote was largely along party lines.[12][8]

Keep the IRS Off Your Health Care Act

Wagner voted in support of HR 2009 - Keep the IRS Off Your Health Care Act of 2013. The bill passed through the House on August 2, 2013, with a vote of 232-185. The bill would prevent the IRS and Treasury Secretary from enforcing the powers provided to them in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The vote largely followed party lines.[12][8]

Social issues

Amash amendment

Wagner voted in opposition of House Amendment 413 - Prohibits the National Security Agency from Collecting Records Under the Patriot Act. The amendment failed on July 4, 2013 by a vote of 205-217. The amendment would have prohibited the collection of records by the National Security Agency under the Patriot Act. Both parties were split on the vote.[8]

Elections

2014

Wagner is set to run for re-election to the U.S. House in 2014. If she runs, she will seek the Republican nomination in the primary election on August 5, 2014. The general election took place November 4, 2014.

Campaign donors

Comprehensive donor information for Wagner is available dating back to 2012. Based on available campaign finance records, Wagner raised a total of $2,705,873 during that time period. This information was last updated on May 16, 2013.[17]

2012

Breakdown of the source of Wagner's campaign funds before the 2012 election.

Wagner won election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012. During that election cycle, Wagner's campaign committee raised a total of $2,705,873 and spent $2,500,363.[21] This is more than the average $1.5 million spent by House winners in 2012.[22]

Cost per vote

Wagner spent $10.55 per vote received in 2012.

U.S. House of Representatives, 2012 - Ann Wagner Campaign Contributions

Total Raised

$2,705,873

Total Spent

$2,500,363

Total Raised by Election Runner-up

$59,565

Total Spent by Election Runner-up

$59,565

Top contributors to Ann Wagner's campaign committee

Crawford Group

$202,900

Peabody Energy

$67,500

Jones Financial Companies

$38,000

Express Scripts

$32,750

Thompson Coburn LLP

$28,450

Top 5 industries that contributed to campaign committee

Automotive

$248,150

Retired

$183,425

Lawyers/Law Firms

$125,600

Health Professionals

$109,900

Misc Manufacturing & Distributing

$100,000

Analysis

Lifetime voting record

According to the website GovTrack, Wagner missed 0 of 92 roll call votes from Jan 2013 to Apr 2013, which is 0.0% of votes during that period. This is better than the median of 2.2% among the lifetime records of representatives currently serving. [23]

Like-minded colleagues

The website OpenCongress tracks the voting records of each member to determine with whom he or she votes most and least often. The results include a member from each party.[24]

Net worth

2011

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org, Wagner's net worth as of 2011 was estimated between $3,276,087 and $7,446,000. That averages to $5,361,043, which is lower than the average net worth of Republican representatives in 2011 of $7,859,232.[25]